What’s the best way to despatch a pricked pigeon?

What’s the best way to despatch a pricked pigeon?

The best way to despatch a pricked bird is to give it the second barrel as quickly as you can.


By Peter Theobald

Friday, 20 August 2010

Do you know what the quickest, cleanest, way to despatch a pricked wood pigeon is?

Pigeon shooting
PETER THEOBALD
This old chestnut comes up on a regular basis, and I am surprised that anyone shooting live quarry has not mastered the art of despatching wounded birds, cleanly and without fuss.

I hate to see birds swung round by their heads like a whirling dervish, in an attempt to break their necks.

It shows disrespect to the bird, and often results in the head parting company with the body, something else I hate to see.

The easiest way with any bird up to the size of a mallard, is to grasp the body firmly in one hand, to stop it flapping, then take its head between the thumb and first two fingers of the other hand, and rotate until you feel the neck dislocate.

Death is instant.

With pigeons, where you are likely to get several runners during an average session over decoys, the fastest and cleanest answer is to simply finish them off with another shot.



CompPrevious
What's the best way to despatch a pricked pigeon?

What's the best way to despatch a pricked pigeon?

Pigeon shooting PETER THEOBALD This old chestnut...

CompNext
How do you shoot springing teal targets?

How do you shoot springing teal targets?

Clay shooting JOHN BIDWELL Springing teal are th...


Gundogs Training

Why is my gundog an attention seeker?

My 18th-month-old spaniel has had a great first shooting season.... Read more


More in Gundogs Training...


Gundogs Events

UGS all-aged retrievers at Castle Goring

The Surrey, West Sussex and Hampshire Branch of the Utility Gundog Soc... Read more


More in Gundogs Events...


Gundogs Health

What's the best way to get my gun dog to eat her food?

My young bitch is a very fussy eater. I have tried several brands of d... Read more


More in Gundogs Health...


Comments

Shooting Gazette February 2012

Shooting Gazette February 2012

A SPORTING TEAM: Enjoy all of the best shooting commentary with driven shooting's finest journal.

The Field February 2012 issue

The Field February 2012 issue

Scottish geese, Icelandic ptarmigan, African tigerfish

Shooting Times & Country Magazine

Shooting Times & Country Magazine

Don't miss this week's issue (on sale Wednesday 1st February). FREE PRIZE DRAW - it is week 3 of our great "Gun a Week" competition, see P53 for further details and how to enter! Plus, who is top dog? Paul Rawlings reports on the 2012 Cocker Spaniel Championship. Get down to your newsagents and buy your copy today!


Latest articles

Shooting Estate fights heather burning ban

Shooting Estate fights heather burning ban

High Court orders a full judicial review of Natural England’s pr... Read more


Police deny licensing link to fatal stand-off

Police deny licensing link to fatal stand-off

Lincolnshire Police dismisses claims that disabled man who later shot ... Read more


More in Latest articles...